Raphael Varane offered new Man United exit as Real Madrid face transfer battle
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane is being targeted by two European giants in the January transfer window.
Varane, 30, has found his game-time limited at Old Trafford this season, and with his contract up at the end of the 2023/23 season appears certain to leave the Premier League. As of next month, he will be free to negotiate summer moves with European clubs, with a return to Real Madrid previously deemed the most likely option.
Indeed, the French 2018 World Cup winner, who previously spent a decade with Real, is reportedly open to taking a wage cut to head back to the Bernabeu. And the transfer would make perfect sense for Carlo Ancelotti, who is currently without the injured David Alaba and Eder Militao.
However, according to Spanish newspaper Sport, German champions Bayern Munich have now entered the race. Thomas Tuchel has his own injury problems to solve, and the issues are exacerbated by defenders Kim Min-jae and Noussair Mazraoui taking part in the post-Christmas Asian Cup and AFCON tournaments with South Korea and Morocco respectively.
Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund has already outlined plans to sign a defender in January, and the German champions are reportedly willing to offer more than £17million for Varane. This could prove decisive, giving United the option to redeem a fee for the Lens youth graduate rather than lose him for nothing next season.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
But a further complication for Erik ten Hag and co is their own current need for reinforcements. Varane started t he dramatic 3-2 win over Aston Villa on Boxing Day, with Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez currently sidelined.
(Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Man United try and keep Raphael Varane? Comment below.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has also finally completed his minority takeover in the club, and has been handed control over footballing operations, including having the final say on transfers. It is as of yet unclear as to whether the British billionaire favours letting depart Varane in January.
Despite fans being mystified at Ten Hag's reluctance to play the four-time Champions League winner, the manager has frequently denied a rift with the player. The issue came up again this month when reporters pressed him in a media press conference.
"Rapha Varane? I don't know what you're talking about," Ten Hag replied. "It's rumours. Very important player, but there's internal competition and there should be at a top club, as we are."
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